Training device with changeable operating direction

ABSTRACT

A training device with changeable operating direction is disclosed, including a seat, which is disposed horizontally on an XY plane, with the XY plane being constituted by an X-direction and a Y-direction that are perpendicular to each other; a stand, which is pivoted on the seat by a pivot shaft in a Z-direction, with the Z-direction being perpendicular to the XY plane; a vertical turntable, which is pivoted on the stand; and a first grip and a second grip, with the first grip and/or the second grip driving the vertical turntable to rotate by applied force, the stand rotating relative to the seat within a rotation angle selectively against the pivot shaft, and being fixed on the seat by a securing unit after rotation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (a) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a training device with changeableoperating direction, and more particularly to a training device that theposition of a stand can be changed, allowing an operator to apply forceto a first grip and/or a second grip on the stand in differentdirection, so as to achieve multiple training effects.

(b) Description of the Prior Art

People are now interested in exercising; they no longer only chooseoutdoor exercising, but will also select indoor exercising machines.However, most of the exercising machines, such as treadmill, bikefitness, or elliptical trainer, can only train muscles in a lower partof body, and cannot fully train muscles in an upper part of body.

A Taiwanese utility model patent M600638, discloses a symmetricalvertical turntable movement device, wherein an operating space is formedby two vertical turntables with their vertical table surfaces beingdisposed opposite to each other. In addition, each vertical tablesurface is provided with a grip, and the grip is disposed in theoperating space, which in turn allows an operator to stand or sit in theoperating space, with both hands holding the grips to train the upperpart of body.

However, there must be two vertical turntables in the abovementionedpatent, and the operating space between the two vertical turntablesshould be also large enough to allow the operator to operatecomfortably. Therefore, the entire size of the symmetrical verticalturntable movement device will be too large to be put in an ordinaryhome for the operator to train at home.

Furthermore, a Taiwanese utility model patent M616525, discloses amulti-directional training device, including a seat, a stand, a spindle,a vertical turntable, a first grip and a second grip. The seat includesa main operating region, a first side operating region, and a secondside operating region. An operator can choose any one location among themain operating region, the first side operating region, and the secondside operating region, to operate the first grip and/or the second gripfor training.

However, as the abovementioned seat includes the main operating region,the first side operating region, and the second side operating region,the area will be too large and the training device will take up too muchspace. In addition, it is not convenient to transport and move thetraining device as well.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides a training device withchangeable operating direction, comprising a seat which is disposedhorizontally on an XY plane, with the XY plane being constituted by anX-direction and a Y-direction that are perpendicular to each other; astand, which is pivoted on the seat in a Z-direction by a pivot shaft,with the Z-direction being perpendicular to the XY plane, and the standincluding a first side and a second side; a spindle, which is disposedon the stand and is extended along a spindle axis, with the spindle axisbeing parallel to the XY plane; a vertical turntable, which is pivotedon the stand by the spindle, with the vertical turntable including afirst table surface and a second table surface that are opposite to eachother; a first grip, which is extended along a first axis parallel tothe spindle axis, with the first axis being at a distance to the spindleaxis, and the first grip being extended and connected to the spindle onthe first side; and a second grip, which is extended along a second axisparallel to the spindle axis, with the second axis being at a distanceto the spindle axis, and the second grip being extended and connected tothe spindle on the second side. The first grip and/or the second gripdrive the vertical turntable to rotate by applied force, the standrotates relative to the seat within a rotation angle selectively againstthe pivot shaft and is fixed on the seat by a securing unit afterrotation.

Preferably, the first axis and the second axis are disposed on farlocations of the vertical turntable diametrically.

Preferably, the first axis and the second axis are disposed on a sameaxis.

Preferably, the first grip is vertically pivoted on an end of a firstconnecting member, and the other end of the first connecting member isfixed on the spindle; whereas the second grip is vertically pivoted onan end of a second connecting member, and the other end of the secondconnecting member is fixed on the spindle.

Preferably, the first connecting member is provided with a first groove.The first groove slides with respect to the spindle axis selectively,changing the distance between the first axis and the spindle axis;whereas, the second connecting member is provided with a second groove,and the second groove slides with respect to the spindle axisselectively, changing the distance between the second axis and thespindle axis.

Preferably, a bottom end of the stand is provided with a swivel plate,and the seat is provided with a base plate corresponding to the swivelplate. The swivel plate is pivoted on the base plate by the pivot shaft,and the swivel plate is provided at least with a guide groove on anouter periphery of the axis of the pivot shaft. The securing unitincludes a limiting member, and the limiting member is disposed in theguide groove to limit the rotation of the swivel plate. The base plateis provided at least with a second threaded hole, and the limitingmember includes a male thread to be screwed in the second threaded hole.The securing unit includes an handle, the handle is connected to thelimiting member, and the limiting member is provided with a sleeve whichis disposed in the guide groove.

Preferably, the present invention further includes a resistance unit.The resistance unit is disposed on the stand, and the vertical turntableis connected to the resistance unit. The resistance unit includes afirst belt, a first driven wheel, a second driven wheel, a second belt,a third driven wheel, and a resistance wheel. The first driven wheel andthe second driven wheel are commonly fixed on a first rotation shaft,the first rotation shaft is rotatably fixed on the stand, and the axisof the first rotation shaft is parallel to the spindle axis. The thirddriven wheel and the resistance wheel are commonly fixed on a secondrotation shaft, the second rotation shaft is rotatably fixed on thestand, and the axis of the second rotation shaft is parallel to thespindle axis. The vertical turntable is connected to the first drivenwheel by the first belt, and the second driven wheel is connected to theresistance wheel by the second belt.

Preferably, the seat includes a standing plate, the standing plate isdisposed on the XY plane, and is at a distance to the stand.

According to the abovementioned technical features, the presentinvention preferably can achieve the following benefits:

-   -   1. In comparison with the abovementioned Taiwanese utility model        patent M616525, the seat of the present invention is only        provided with one standing plate, without a need to provide a        first side standing plate and a second side standing plate        additionally. Therefore, the entire area of the seat is small,        and the training device does not take up too much space and thus        can be transported easily.    -   2. The stand rotates relative to the seat and can be fixed on        the seat. Therefore, when the operator stands at a same        location, he or she only changes the direction of stand that he        or she can choose to use two hands to hold the first grip and        the second grip respectively and simultaneously, rotating and        applying force in a direction perpendicular to the chest with        both hands to drive the vertical turntable for training; or, the        operator can choose to use a single hand to hold the first grip,        rotating and applying force with one hand in a direction        parallel to the chest to drive the vertical turntable for        training. Furthermore, the operator can also use both hands to        hold the first grip, rotating and applying force with both hands        in a direction parallel to the chest to drive the vertical        turntable for training. Accordingly, a multi-purpose training        effect can be achieved.    -   3. Through the resistance unit, the operator can adjust the        resistance according to his or her personal need, thereby        acquiring the training effect in a various level.

To enable a further understanding of the said objectives and thetechnological methods of the invention herein, the brief description ofthe drawings below is followed by the detailed description of thepreferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the present embodiment, wherein arelative position between a stand and a seat forms a first mode.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective exploded view of a first grip, a second gripand a vertical turntable, according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a structural view of a swivel plate and a base plate,according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective exploded view of a securing unit, the swivelplate and the base plate, according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a structural view of a resistance unit according to thepresent embodiment, with brackets being omitted.

FIG. 6 shows a cutaway view of a limiting member in a loose condition byrotation, according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of rotating handles to loosen the limitingmember, according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows a cutaway view of the limiting member in a tightenedcondition by rotation, according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of rotating the stand to form a secondmode, according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective schematic view of the present embodiment,with most of the brackets being enclosed by an outer casing after therotation of stand, under the second mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1 , FIG. 2 , FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 , a training devicewith changeable operating direction, according to the present invention,comprises a seat 1, a stand 2, a spindle 3, a vertical turntable 4, afirst grip 5, a second grip 6, a resistance unit 8 and a control panel9.

The seat 1 is disposed horizontally on an XY plane, and the XY plane isconstituted by an X-direction and a Y-direction that are perpendicularto each other. In the present embodiment, the XY plane is a flat groundsurface, and when an operator operates the present invention, thedirection in which the operator's shoulder width is extended is theX-direction, and the direction in which the operator looks straightforward is the Y-direction.

The stand 2 is pivoted on the seat 1 in a Z-direction, and theZ-direction is perpendicular to the XY plane. The stand 2 is pivoted tothe seat 1 by a pivot shaft 11, and in the present embodiment, the pivotshaft 11 is a bolt. After being pivoted, the stand 2 can rotate relativeto the seat 1. The stand 2 is provided with a first side 21 and anopposite second side 22 in the X-direction. The stand 2 can include anouter casing 23 (as shown in FIG. 10 ) to protect internal structuresand prevent from stain at a same time. To facilitate describing thestructures of the present invention, the outer casing 23 is omitted insome drawings.

A bottom end of the stand 2 is provided with a swivel plate 24, and theseat 1 is provided with a base plate 12 corresponding to the swivelplate 24. The pivot shaft 11, in association with a gasket 111 and abushing 112, is screwed in a first threaded hole 120 on the base plate12, allowing the swivel plate 24 to be pivoted on the base plate 12. Theswivel plate 24 is provided with two arc-shaped guide grooves 25 on anouter periphery of the axis of the pivot shaft 11, and two securingunits 26 are disposed in the two guide grooves 25 correspondingly. Eachsecuring unit 26 includes a handle 261 and a limiting member 262; in thepresent embodiment, the limiting member 262 is a screw rod. The handle261 is connected to the limiting member 262 to apply rotational force tothe limiting member 262. The limiting member 262 includes a male thread264 (as shown in FIG. 6 ) and passes through the guide groove 25 to bescrewed in the second threaded hole 121 on the base plate 12, therebylimiting the rotation of the swivel plate 24. Each limiting member 262is sheathed with a sleeve 263 to prevent the limiting member 262 fromdirectly hitting the guide groove 25. The securing unit 26 in thepresent embodiment is only one of many feasible securing structures, andother elements, such as bolt and nut, or element like a quick releasecomponent for a bike, are all feasible embodiments of the presentinvention.

The seat 1 includes a standing plate 13, and the standing plate 13 is ata distance to the stand 2 in the Y-direction. The standing plate 13provides for the operator to stand. After the operator stands on thestanding plate 13, the stand 2 is in front of the operator.

The spindle 3 is rotatably disposed on the stand 2 and is extended alonga spindle axis 31. The spindle axis 31 is the axis of the spindle 3, andis parallel to the XY plane. Two ends of the spindle 3 are all providedwith a threaded hole (not shown in the drawings).

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 5 , the vertical turntable 4 is fixed onthe spindle 3 and rotates along with the spindle 3. The verticalturntable 4 includes a circumference 41, and a first table surface 42and an opposite second table surface 43 are disposed on two sides of thecircumference 41. The first table surface 42 is on a same side as thefirst side 21; whereas the second table surface 43 is on a same side asthe second side 22.

The first grip 5 is extended along a first axis 51, and the first axis51 is parallel to the spindle axis 31. In addition, the first axis 51 isat a distance to the spindle axis 31 of the vertical turntable 4radially. The first grip 5 is vertically pivoted on an end of a firstconnecting member 53 on the first side 21. The first connecting member53 is parallel to the first table surface 42, and the other end of thefirst connecting member 53 is provided with a first groove 531. A firstscrewing piece 532 passes through the first groove 531 and is screwed inthe threaded hole at the end of the spindle 3, so that the firstconnecting member 53 can be fixed on the spindle 3. By releasing thefirst screwing piece 532, sliding the first groove 531 with respect tothe first screwing piece 532, and then re-securing the first screwingpiece 532 by screwing, the distance between the first grip 5 and thespindle 3 can be adjusted, thereby changing the moment arm in operatingthe vertical turntable 4.

The second grip 6 is extended along a second axis 61, and the secondaxis 61 is parallel to the spindle axis 31. In addition, the second axis61 is at a distance to the spindle axis 31 of the vertical turntable 4radially. The second grip 6 is vertically pivoted on an end of a secondconnecting member 63 on the second side 22. The second connecting member63 is parallel to the second table surface 43, and the other end of thesecond connecting member 63 is provided with a second groove 631. Asecond screwing piece 632 passes through the second groove 631 and isscrewed in the threaded hole at the end of the spindle 3, so that thesecond connecting member 63 can be fixed on the spindle 3. By releasingthe second screwing piece 632, sliding the second groove 631 withrespect to the second screwing piece 632, and then re-securing thesecond screwing piece 632 by screwing, the distance between the secondgrip 6 and the spindle 3 can be adjusted, thereby changing the momentarm in operating the vertical turntable 4.

Preferably, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , the first grip 5 and thesecond grip 6 are at far locations of the vertical turntable 4diametrically, so that when the spindle axis 31 is parallel to theX-direction and the operator holds the first grip 5 and the second grip6 with his or her two hands, respectively, he or she can execute analternate cyclic action. However, the first axis 51 of the first grip 5and the second axis 61 of the second grip 6 can be also on a same axis.Therefore, when the spindle axis 31 is parallel to the X-direction andthe operator holds the first grip 5 and the second grip 6 with his orher two hands, respectively, he or she can execute a simultaneous cyclicaction on the same axis with the left or right hand.

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 5 , the resistance unit 8 is disposed onthe stand 2 and is connected to the vertical turntable 4. The resistanceunit 8 includes a first belt 81, a first driven wheel 82, a seconddriven wheel 83, a second belt 84, a third driven wheel 85 and aresistance wheel 86. The first driven wheel 82 and the second drivenwheel 83 are commonly fixed on a first rotation shaft 87, the firstrotation shaft 87 is rotatably fixed on the stand 2, and the axis of thefirst rotation shaft 87 is parallel to the spindle axis 31. The thirddriven wheel 85 and the resistance wheel 86 are commonly fixed on asecond rotation shaft 88, the second rotation shaft 88 is rotatablyfixed on the stand 2, and the axis of the second rotation shaft 88 isparallel to the spindle axis 31. The vertical turntable 4 is connectedto the first driven wheel 82 by the first belt 81, and the second drivenwheel 83 is connected to the third driven wheel 85 by the second belt84. The source of resistance wheel 86 can be magnetic resistance, motor,friction force resistance, water resistance, air resistance orelectromagnetic brake.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the control panel 9 is disposed on the stand 2 fordisplaying related operation messages, such as rotation speed,resistance, predicted heat consumption and operation time of thevertical turntable.

Referring to FIG. 1 , FIG. 6 , FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 , to change therelative position between the stand 2 and the seat 1, the handles 261are first used to release the limiting member 262 by rotation (as shownin FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 ), such that the swivel plate 24 will no longer beabutted to the base plate 12. Next, the stand 2 is rotated to adjust therelative position between the stand 2 and the seat 1. Then, the handles261 are used to tighten the limiting member 262 by rotation (as shown inFIG. 8 ), allowing the swivel plate 24 to be abutted with the base plate12. Therefore, the stand 2 can be fixed on the seat 1.

For ease of description, the change in position of the stand 2 isdescribed by a first mode and a second mode, in the present embodiment.As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , in the first mode, the spindle axis 31is in the same direction as the X-direction, and the first axis 51 ofthe first grip 5 as well as the second axis 61 of the second grip 6 areparallel to the direction in which the operator's shoulder width isextended. This means that the first axis 51 and the second axis 61 areall in the same direction as the X-direction, and the operator stands onthe standing plate 13 and faces the stand 2, with his or her two handsholding the first grip 5 and the second grip 6, respectively, to rotatealternately with his or her two hands, for training muscles in thehands. At this time, the rotation resistance of the vertical turntable 4can be changed by adjusting the resistance of the resistance unit 8,thereby acquiring the training effect in various strength.

FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 manifest the state of second mode. In the secondmode, the spindle axis 31 is in the same direction as the Y-direction,and the swivel plate 24 in FIG. 9 rotates by 90° against the pivot shaft11 following the arrow and is fixed on the base plate 12 of the seat 1by the securing unit 26. Under the second mode, the first axis 51 of thefirst grip 5 is perpendicular to the direction in which the operator'sshoulder width is extended. It means that the first axis 51 is in thesame direction as the Y-direction, the operator also stands on thestanding plate 13 and faces the stand 2. At this time, the operator canuse a single hand to hold the first grip 5, rotating the verticalturntable (not shown in the drawings). The operator can also use bothhands to hold the first grip 5 together, rotating the vertical turntable(not shown in the drawings). Similarly, by adjusting the resistance ofthe resistance unit (not shown in the drawings), the operator can changethe rotation resistance of the vertical turntable (not shown in thedrawings) to acquire the training effect in a various level. Under thesecond mode, the operator can operate with a single hand or both handsto train the muscles in different parts of the hands, by rotating in thedirection parallel to the shoulder (i.e., the X-direction).

For the abovementioned first mode and second mode, the stand rotates by90° relative to the seat. However, in the present invention, therotation angle is not limited to 90°; the rotation by an angle ofsmaller than or larger than 90° is feasible according to the embodimentof the present invention. For the rotation angle larger than 90°, it canbe achieved by properly increasing the arc length of the guide groove 25in FIG. 4 .

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , when the operator feels that theoperating radius of the first grip 5 or the second grip 6 is too large,i.e., the operator's arms swing too large, the first screwing piece 532and the second screwing piece 632 can be loosened by rotation so thatthe first connecting member 53 and the second connecting member 63 canbe moved and the first groove 531 and the second groove 631 are movablerelative to the first screwing piece 532 and the second screwing piece632, respectively, which in turn enables the first grip 5 and the secondgrip 6 to move close to or away from the spindle axis 31, therebychanging the operating radius of the first grip 5 or the second grip 6.When the operator feels that the operating radius of the first grip 5 orthe second grip 6 is proper, he or she re-tightens the first screwingpiece 532 and the second screwing piece 632, enabling the first grip 5or the second grip 6 not to be loosened, which assures that theoperating radius can keep constant during operation, thereby fitting avarious need of the operator.

By rotating the stand 2, the relative position between the stand 2 andthe seat 1 is changed, so that the operator can rotate the verticalturntable 4 by various angles at a same location, thereby acquiring thevarious training effect. In addition, the standing plate 13 will nottake up too much area and space.

The standing plate 13 can be omitted. If the seat 1 is fixed on theground directly by a securing element, such as bolt, the stand 2 canalso rotate on the seat 1 relatively, and the operator can operate whilestanding on the ground.

The operator can freely choose to use a single hand or both hands tooperate at various angles to execute various trainings. He or she cantrain both hands simultaneously, and can carry out an intensive trainingto the left hand or right hand respectively, which facilitates theoperator to enhance the training to the upper body, such as shoulder,elbow, or wrist, according to his or her personal need.

It is of course to be understood that the embodiments described hereinis merely illustrative of the principles of the invention and that awide variety of modifications thereto may be effected by persons skilledin the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionas set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A training device with changeable operatingdirection, comprising a seat, which is disposed horizontally on an XYplane, with the XY plane being constituted by an X-direction and aY-direction; a stand, which is pivoted on the seat by a pivot shaft in aZ-direction, with the Z-direction being perpendicular to the XY plane,and the stand including a first side and a second side; a spindle, whichis disposed on the stand and is extended along a spindle axis, with thespindle axis being parallel to the XY plane; a vertical turntable, whichis pivoted on the stand by the spindle, and includes a first tablesurface and an opposite second table surface; a first grip, which isextended along a first axis, with the first axis being parallel to thespindle axis, the first axis being at a distance to the spindle axis,and the first grip being extended and connected to the spindle on thefirst side; and a second grip, which is extended along a second axis,with the second axis being parallel to the spindle axis, the second axisbeing at a distance to the spindle axis, and the second grip beingextended and connected to the spindle on the second side; wherein atleast one of the first grip or the second grip drives the verticalturntable by applied force, and the stand rotates relative to the seatagainst the pivot shaft within a rotation angle selectively and is fixedon the seat by a securing unit after rotation.
 2. The training devicewith changeable operating direction, according to claim 1, wherein thefirst axis and the second axis are disposed on far locations of thevertical turntable diametrically.
 3. The training device with changeableoperating direction, according to claim 1, wherein the first axis andthe second axis are on a same axis.
 4. The training device withchangeable operating direction, according to claim 1, wherein the firstgrip is vertically pivoted on an end of a first connecting member, theother end of the first connecting member is fixed on the spindle, thesecond grip is vertically pivoted on an end of a second connectingmember, and the other end of the second connecting member is fixed onthe spindle.
 5. The training device with changeable operating direction,according to claim 4, wherein the first connecting member is providedwith a first groove, the first groove slides with respect to the spindleaxis selectively to change the distance between the first axis and thespindle axis, the second connecting member is provided with a secondgroove, and the second groove slides with respect to the spindle axisselectively to change the distance between the second axis and thespindle axis.
 6. The training device with changeable operatingdirection, according to claim 1, wherein a bottom end of the stand isprovided with a swivel plate, the seat is provided with a base platecorresponding to the swivel plate, the swivel plate is pivoted on thebase plate by the pivot shaft, the swivel plate is provided with atleast one guide groove on the outer periphery of the axis of the pivotshaft, the securing unit includes a limiting member, and the limitingmember is disposed in the guide groove to limit the rotation of theswivel plate.
 7. The training device with changeable operatingdirection, according to claim 6, wherein the base plate is provided witha second threaded hole, and the limiting member includes a male threadto be screwed in the second threaded hole.
 8. The training device withchangeable operating direction, according to claim 7, wherein thesecuring unit includes an handle which is connected to the limitingmember.
 9. The training device with changeable operating direction,according to claim 7, wherein the limiting member is sheathed with asleeve which is disposed in the guide groove.
 10. The training devicewith changeable operating direction, according to claim 1, furthercomprising a resistance unit, with the resistance unit being disposed onthe stand, and the vertical turntable being connected to the resistanceunit.
 11. The training device with changeable operating direction,according to claim 10, wherein the resistance unit includes a firstbelt, a first driven wheel, a second driven wheel, a second belt, athird driven wheel and a resistance wheel, with the first driven wheeland the second driven wheel commonly being fixed on a first rotationshaft, the first rotation shaft being rotatably fixed on the stand, theaxis of the first rotation shaft being parallel to the spindle axis, thethird driven wheel and the resistance wheel commonly being fixed on asecond rotation shaft, the second rotation shaft being rotatably fixedon the stand, the axis of the second rotation shaft being parallel tothe spindle axis, the vertical turntable being connected to the firstdriven wheel by the first belt, and the second driven wheel beingconnected to the resistance wheel by the second belt.
 12. The trainingdevice with changeable operating direction, according to claim 1,wherein the seat includes a standing plate, the standing plate isdisposed on the XY plane, and the standing plate is at a distance to thestand.